Pivotal window latch

ABSTRACT

A WINDOW LATCHING MECHANISM FOR A VERTICAL PIVOTAL WINDOW HAS AN ELONGATED LATCHING FINGER PIVOTALLY MOUNTED AT ONE END TO EACH OF THE SIDE RAILS OF THE STATIONARY WINDOW FRAME. A SLOT IS FORMED ON THE FREE END OF EACH FINGER FOR ENGAGING PINS SECURED TO THE SIDE RAILS OF THE PIVOTING WINDOW FRAME WHEN THE FINGER IS IN THE LATCHED POSITION. EACH FINGER IS LOCKED IN THE LATCHED POSITION BY A SPRING LOADED PIN SECURED TO EACH SIDE RAIL OF THE STATIONARY FRAME. THE FINGERS ARE UNLATCHED BY KEYS, ALLOWING THE PIVOTAL FRAME TO BE ROTATED ABOUT TWO VERTICAL PINS, ONE BEING CONNECTED BETWEEN THE TOP RAILS OF THE TWO FRAMES AND ONE BETWEEN THE BOTTOM RAILS. A SPRING LOADED SLANT PIN PROJECTS FROM ONE OF THE SIDE RAILS OF THE PIVOTAL FRAME AND ALLOWS THE FRAME TO BE ROTATED IN ONLY ONE DIRECTION. A SPRING LOADED SQUARE PIN PROJECTS FROM THE OTHER SIDE RAIL OF THE PIVOTAL FRAME SO AS TO LOCK THE FRAME IN THE 180* ROTATED POSITION.

JmL'1fz,- .119 1-j P JR, ETAL 3,553,985

IIVO'IAIZ- WINDOW LATCH f 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 led, 001:. 18'. 1958 FIGI w 4AA, 30 1 a 2 C L |l w 5 w) v w Iv! ,INVENTORS FRANK M. PEPP JR. ALFRED J. ORE; BYM aw z ATTORNEYS Jan. 12,1971 P FINAL 7 3,553,985

' PIVO'IAL WINDOW LATCH 1 Filed Oct. '18., 1968 v 2 Sheets-Sheet a INVENTORS 29 a2 FRANK M. PEPP JR.

ALFRED J. eonbou FIG. IO 9 3 BY 4 44, f QLJ/J ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,553,985 PIVOTAL INDOW LATCH Frank M. Pepp, Jr., Southfield, and Alfred J. Gordon, Adrian, Mich., assignors to Great Lakes Aluminum Fabricators, Inc., Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Oct. 18, 1968, Ser. No. 768,855 Int. Cl. E05b 63/00 US. Cl. 70-102 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A window latching mechanism for a vertical pivotal window has an elongated latching finger pivotally mounted at one end to each of the side rails of the stationary window frame. A slot is formed on the free end of each finger for engaging pins secured to the side rails of the pivoting window frame when the finger is in the latched position. Each finger is locked in the latched position by a spring loaded pin secured to each side rail of the stationary frame. The fingers are unlatched by keys, allowing the pivotal frame to be rotated about two vertical pins, one being connected between the top rails of the two frames and one between the bottom rails. A spring loaded slant pin projects from one of the side rails of the pivotal frame and allows the frame to be rotated in only one direction. A spring loaded square pin projects from the other side rail of the pivotal frame so as to lock the frame in the 180 rotated position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (I) Field of the invention This invention relates to window latches and more particularly to a latching mechanism for a vertical pivotal window.

(II) Description of the prior art One method used in the prior art for latching vertical pivotal windows includes an elongated latching finger pivotally mounted at one end to each of the side rails of the stationary window frame. A slot is formed on the free end of each finger for engaging pins secured to the side rails of the pivoting frame. With the fingers engaging the pins the window is securely latched. Each latching finger is fixedly secured at its pivotal end to a hollow shaft pivotally mounted on one of the side rails of the stationary frame. The center of the shaft is hexagon shaped to allow insertion of an elongated hexagon shaft forming the latching key. A flat stiff spring fixedly secured at one end to the side rail extends over one of the openings of the pivoting shaft. The freeend of the spring is bent perpendicular to the length of the spring so as to engage the pivotal end of the finger, which is squared, locking the finger in either the latched or unlatched position. To latch or unlatch the window the hexagon key is inserted into an opening in the side rail and through a keyway member that has a circular opening which is cut away at the ends of a diametrical center line. A pin secured to the key on an axis transverse to the axis of elongation of the key passes through the slots in the keyway. As the hexagon key is pushed into the hollow shaft, the end of the key engages the flat spring and pushes the spring back so as to disengage the bent portion of the spring from the end of the latching finger. When the end of the spring is disengaged from the latching finger, the key will have been extended sufficiently far into the keyway so as to disengage the transverse pin from the slots. With the transverse pin disengaged from the slots the key may be turned to latch or unlatch the finger. While thekey 3,553,985 Patented Jan. 12, 1971 'ice is turned the transverse pin rides on shoulders formed in the keyway.

The disadvantages in this type of system include the galling of the shoulder of the keyway. Since the spring itself engages the squared end of the finger to secure it in the desired position, the spring must be sufiiciently stilf to prevent any shift in position of the finger. The stiff spring results in a strong force tending to push the key out of the hollow shaft, resulting in the gualing of the shoulders of the keyway by the transverse pin. Once the shoulders become galled it is very ditficult to turn the key.

SUMMARY In the preferred embodiment the invention includes an elongated latch housing secured to each of the two side rails of the stationary frame of the vertical pivotal Window. The housing has a base member and two side members that extend perpendicular to the base. The housing is secured to the stationary frame so that the opening between the two side members faces the side rail of the pivotal frame of the window. An elongated latching finger disposed between the two sides of the housing is fixedly secured at one end to a hollow shaft that is pivotally secured to one of the side members. The hollow shaft has a hexagon shaped opening through its center. An opening on the axis of the hexagon shaped opening is formed in the other side member of the housing.

A flat spring fixedly secured at one end to the outside of the side member having the opening extend so that its free end covers the opening. A look pin pivotally secured to the fiat spring along its length projects generally perpendicular to the plane of the flat spring through holes formed in the side members of the housing. When the latching finger is disposed between the two side members in the unlatched position, the free end of the lock pin rests against the side of the finger. When the free end of the latching finger is extended from the latch housing so as to be in the latched position, the lock pin extends through the opening between the side members, preventing the finger from being rotated back into the unlatched position.

An opening is formed in the side rail of the stationary frame :to allow insertion of an elongated hexagon shaft, forming the latching key. Disposed between the Opening in the side rail and the hollow shaft is a keyway member having a small circular opening extending therethrough with slots formed on the ends of a diametrical center line. Part way through the keyway the small opening is enlarged and the slots eliminated, forming shoulders at the enlargement. The hexagon key has a transversely extending pin secured thereon. When the key is inserted into the opening and through the keyway mem her, the transverse pin passes through the slots formed in the opening in the keyway member. As the hexagon key is further inserted, the end of the key passes through the hexagon opening formed in the hollow shaft, and then through the opening formed in the side member so as to engage the free end of the flat spring, thereby pushing the spring away from the side member of the latch housing. With this movement the lock pin attached to the spring is withdrawn from the opening between the side members. When the key has been inserted a sufficient distance to remove the lock pin from the opening between the two side members, the transverse pin on the key will have been extended beyond the slots in the keyway and into the enlargement, thus allowing the key to be turned to unlatch the window while the transverse pin slides on the shoulder formed on the keyway.

Since the force from the flat spring is Only required to urge the lock pin into the holes in the side members, a stiff spring is not needed. Since a weak spring may be used, the force tending to push the key out of the hollow shaft will not be great, resulting in less galling of the shoulders of the keyway by the transverse pin than occurred in earlier designs.

Slots are formed in the free end of each latching finger for engaging pins secured to the side rails of the rotating frame.

A spring loaded slant pin projects from one side rail of the pivotal frame, allowing the frame to rotate in only one direction. A spring loaded square pin projects from the other side rail of the pivotal frame, locking the frame in the 180 rotated position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The description refers to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the vertical pivotal window with sections broken away to better illustrate the latching mechanism;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal section taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal section taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a vertical section taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a vertical section taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a horizontal section taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a vertical section taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a vertical pivotal window generally indicated at with sections cut away to show the latching mechanisms. Pivotal window 20 has an outer stationary frame 22 that includes top rail 24, bottom rail 26 and side rails 28 and 30. Pivotal pins 32 and 34, pivotally mounted in bushings in rails 24 and 26 respectively, are secured to pivotal frame 36 at the midpoint of top rail 38 and bottom rail 40 so as to allow frame 36 to pivot about the pins. Frame 36 that encircles glass 42 further includes side rails 44 and 46.

Cam lock 48, shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 9, includes elongated housing 49 fixedly secured to side rail 28 by means of screws 50. An identical cam lock 52 having housing 53 is secured to side rail 30 by means of screws 54 in a position upside down from that of cam lock 48. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 9, housing 49 includes base 58 and sides 60 and 62 extending perpendicular to the base. Elongated latching finger 64, shown in the locked position, is fixedly secured at one end to hollow shaft 66 that is pivotally mounted in side 62. Shaft 66 is provided with a hexagon opening 68 through its center. An opening 70 on the axis of opening 68 is formed in side 60.

Flat spring 72 fixedly secured at one of its ends by screw 74 to side 60 extends so that its free end covers a portion of opening 70. Lock pin 76 pivotally mounted in groove 78 formed on spring 72 extends through opening 80 formed in side 60.

As shown in FIG. 2 a pair of identical keyways 82 and 84, shown in more detail in FIGS. 9 and 10, are fixedly secured to side rails 28 and 30 respectively. Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a circular projection 86 extends through an opening formed in the side rail. The axis of circular opening 88 is in line wit-h the axis of the hexagon opening 68 formed in shaft 66, allowing the insertion of an elongated hexagon shaft forming the latching key. Slots 90 and 92 are formed in opening 88 on the ends of a diametrical center line. Part way through keyway 82, opening 88 is enlarged into circular opening 94, which is as large as the outer extremity of slots 90 and 92. A shoulder 96 is formed between opening 88 and enlargement 94.

Referring to FIG. 2, latching key 98 includes handle 100 and an elongated hexagon shaft 102. A pin 104 is secured to shaft 102 on an axis transverse to the axis of elongation of the shaft. When shaft 102 is inserted into opening 88 of keyway 82, pin 104 passes through slots 90 and 92. As the key is further inserted into opening 88, the hexagon shaft passes through hexagon opening 68 and opening 70 in side 60. In this position the key is prevented from turning by pin 104 being disposed in slots 90 and 92. As the key is further inserted, the end of shaft 102 engages spring 72 pushing spring 72 away from side member 60. With this movement lock pin 76 is withdrawn from holes 80. When the key has been inserted a sufficient distance to remove the pin 76 from the opening between side members 60 and 62 so as to allow finger 64 to be rotated back into the unlatched position, pin 104 will have been inserted beyond slots 90 and 92 and into enlargement 94, allowing the key to be turned to unlatch the window.

Slant pin cam lock keeper 106, show in detail in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5 is fixedly secured to side rail 44 by any con venient means. Keeper 106 includes housing 108 having cam lock pin 110 fixedly secured between its sides. Slot 65 formed in the end of finger 64 engages pin 110 to latch the window. Immediately below pin 110 is spring loaded slant pin 112 slidably mounted in grooves 114 and 116 and having slanting surface 115. Shaft 118 extends from pin 112 and projects through the rear of housing 108 where washer 120 is fixedly secured. Coil spring 122 positioned around shaft 118 is disposed between housing 108 and pin 112, pushing pin 112 away from housing 108.

Square pin cam lock keeper 124, shown in detail in FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 8 is fixedly secured to side rail 46 by any convenient means and includes housing 126 having cam lock pin 128 fixedly secured between its sides. Slot 65 formed in the end of finger 64 of cam lock 52 engages pin 128 to latch the window, Immediately above pin 128 is spring loaded pin 130 slidably mounted in grooves 132 and 134. Shaft 136 extends from pin 130 and projects through the rear of housing 126 where washer 138 is fixedly secured. Coil spring 140 positioned around shaft 136 is disposed between housing 126 and pin 130 so as to push the pin way from housing 126.

With the window in the latched position as shown in FIG. 1, slant pin 112 projects into recess 142 formed in striker plate 144, better shown in FIG. 3. Plate 144 is fixedly secured to cam lock 48 by screws 50 projecting through holes 146. Ramps 148 and 150 are provided on the front edge of plate 144 for allowing pins 112 and 130 to slide upon the plate. Recess 142 with ramp 152 formed on its back edge and hole 154 are provided in plate 144 for the insertion of pins 112 and 130 during different phases of the operation of the window. Elongated slot 156 is formed in plate 144 to allow finger 64 of cam lock 48 to project therethrough when in the latched position.

In the latched position square pin 130 projects into recess 158 formed in a striker plate 160, better shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Plate 160 is fixedly secured to cam lock 52 by screw 54 projecting through holes 162. Ramps 164 and 166 are provided on the rear edge of plate 160, as viewed in FIG. 1 for allowing pins 112 and 130 to slide up on the plate as pivotal frame 36 is rotated. Recess 158 with ramp 168 formed on its front edge and hole 170 are provided in plate 160 for the insertion of pins 112 and 130 during different phases of the operation of the window. Elongated slot 172 is formed in plate 160 to allow finger 64 of cam lock 52 to project therethrough when in the latched position. i

To unlatch window 20, from the latched position shown in FIG. 1, shaft 102 of key 98 is inserted into keyway 82 with transverse pin 104 engaging slots 90 and 92. Shaft 102 is pushed into opening 88, through opening 68 in hollow shaft 66, and through opening 70 with the end of shaft 102 engaging spring 72. Further insertion of shaft 102 pushes the free end of spring 72 away from side 60 with drawing pin 76 from the opening between sides 60 and 62, thus allowing finger 64 of cam lock 78 to be rotated in the counter-clockwise direction to unlatch the window. When shaft 102 has been inserted into opening 88 a sufficient distance to withdraw pin 76 from the opening between sides '60 and 62, transverse pin 104 will have moved into the enlargement 94 formed in keyway 82, allowing key 98 to be turned to unlatch cam lock 48. As key 98 is turned in the counter-clockwise direction rotating finger 64 to the unlatched position, transverse pin 104 slides along shoulders 96 formed in keyway 82. While finger 64 is in the unlatched position, the engagement of pin 104 with shoulder 96 prevents the removal of key 98.

A key identical to key 98 is inserted into keyway 84 and the unlatching process repeated, with finger 64 of cam lock 52 being rotated counter-clockwise so as to be dis posed between sides 60 and 62 of housing 49 when in the unlatched position.

With the window unlatched frame 36 may then be rotated in the clockwise direction as viewed from the top of FIG, 2. Frame 36 is prevented from rotating in the counter-clockwise direction by the engagement of edge 117 of slant pin 112 with edge 143 of recess 142. As frame 36 is rotated in the clockwise direction slanting edge 115 of pin 112 slides up ramp 152 of recess 142, and square pin 130 slides up ramp 168 of recess 158.

As the frame is further rotated, square pin 130 slides up ramp 148 on plate 144 and slant pin 112 slides up ramp 166 of plate 160. With the window in the 180 rotated position square pin 130 projects into hole 154 formed in plate 144 and pin 112 projects into hole 170 in plate 160. With pin 130 projecting. into hole 154 frame 36 is prevented from being further rotated. When further rotation is desired, finger 64 of cam lock 48 is rotated in the clockwise direction by key 98, thereby pushing pin 130 out of the hole 154, allowing frame 36 to be further rotated in the clockwise direction. The engagement of edge 117 of pin 112 with edge 171 of hole 170 prevents the frame from being rotated in the counterclockwise direction, but slant edge 115 slides up edge 173 to allow rotation in the clockwise direction.

As frame 76 is further rotated back to the 360 position, pin 112 slides up ramp 150 and pin 130 slides up ramp 164. Pin 112 then engages recess 142 and pin 130 engages recess 158. The fingers 64 of cam lock 48 and 52 are then rotated clockwise so that slots 65 will engage pins 110 and 128 to latch the window. The two keys 98 can then be removed.

We claim:

1. A window latching mechanism for a vertical pivotal window having a rectangular stationary outer frame with two vertical side rails and horizontal top and bottom rails connected between the ends of the two side rails and a rectangular pivotal inner frame with two vertical side rails and horizontal top and bottom rails connected between the ends of the two side rails, said pivotal inner frame pivotally mounted within the stationary frame by a first vertical pin connected between the two top rails and a second vertical pin connected between the two bottom rails so as to allow the pivotal frame to be rotated while mounted within the stationary frame, said mechanism comprising:

(a) an elongated latching finger pivotally mounted at-one end to a first side rail of said stationary frame, the free end of said finger extending from said frame and engaging a first means secured to a first side rail of said pivotal frame when said finger is in the latched position;

(b) a second means for engaging and retaining said finger in the latched position;

(c) an elongated key means insertable into an opening formed in said first side rail of said stationary frame for disengaging said second means from said finger and for rotating said finger about said pivotally mounted end in response to rotation thereof about the axis of elongation; and

(d) a third means for securing said pivotal frame in the one-hundred and eighty degree rotated position.

2. The mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein said first means includes a pin fixedly secured to said first side rail of said pivotal frame, and said finger has a slot formed In its free end for engaging said pin when the finger is in the latched position.

3. The mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein said second means includes: a pin slidably mounted in a hole formed in said first side rail of said stationary frame; and biasing means connected to one end of said pin for urging the pin into said hole so that the free end of said pin abuts said finger when the finger is in the unlatched position and a longitudinally extending edge of said finger engages an intermediate point along the length of said pin when said finger is in the latched position.

4. The mechanism as defined in claim 3, wherein: said biasing means includes an elongated flat spring fixedly secured at one end to said first side rail of said stationary frame, said pin being connected to a point along the length of said spring.

5. The mechanism as defined in claim 4, wherein: said finger is fixedly secured to a pivotally mounted hollow shaft, the opening at one end of said shaft is axially aligned with said opening formed in said first side rail of said stationary frame, and the free end of said fiat spring covers a portion of the opening at the other end of said hollow shaft.

6. The mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein a fourth means is provided for preventing said key means from being disengaged from said finger while the finger is in the unlatched position.

7. The mechanism as defined in claim 6, wherein: said fourth means includes a pin secured to said key means and extending transverse to the axis of elongation of said key means; and a pair of slots formed in said opening in said first side rail of said stationary frame operative to allow said key means with said pin to be inserted into said first side rail.

'8. The mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein: said third means includes a first slidably mounted spring loaded pin secured to one of the side rails of said pivotal frame, said pin engaging one of the side rails of said stationary frame when said pivotal frame is in the one hundred and eighty degree rotated position.

9. The mechanism as defined in claim 8, including a second slidably mounted spring loaded pin secured to the other of the side rails of said pivotal frame, said pin being operative to engage the other of the side rails of said stationary frame when said pivotal and stationary frames are in the zero degree rotated position to prevent rotation in one direction.

10. A window assembly comprising: a stationary outer support frame; an inner window frame; means supporting said window frame in said support frame for rotation relative thereto about an axis; a latching finger pivotally sup ported on said support frame for movement between latched and unlatched positions, said latching finger being in engagement with said window frame when in said latched position to prevent rotation of said window frame about said axis and out of engagement with said window frame when in said unlatched position to allow rotation of said window frame; stop means for engaging and retaining said finger in said latched position; biasing means attached to said support frame and supporting said stop means for biasing said stop means into engagement with said finger; and key means for engaging said biasing means at a position spaced from said stop means for moving said stop means out of engagement with said finger.

11. An assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said biasing means comprises a fiat spring and said stop means comprises a pin extending from said fiat spring.

12. An assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said finger is secured to a hollow shaft and said fiat spring is disposed over the axis of said hollow shaft so that said key means may be inserted through said hollow shaft to engage said fiat spring to disengage said pin from said latching finger.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner 10 E. J. MCCARTHY, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

